无论哪一位，来到万佛圣城，一定要谨言慎行，把好名好利的心收拾起来。不要目空一切，认为自己了不起，把自己举得高高在上，轻视其它人，这就是贡高我慢的行为。有这些邋遢东西，在心里负担，在身上负担，在精神上负担，怎能成就道业？我常对你们说：
Whoever you are, when you come to the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, you must speak and act prudently. Subdue any thoughts of pursuing fame or benefit. Avoid arrogance. Don’t regard yourself as somebody special, put yourself on a pedestal and look down on others. That is conceited behavior. How can you accomplish the Way if your mind, body, and spirit are influenced by such defiled attitudes? I constantly tell you,
真认自己错，莫论他人非；
他非即我非，同体名大悲。
Truly recognize your own faults
And don’t discuss the faults of others.
Others’ faults are just my own;
Being one with everyone is called
Great Compassion.
要看每个人和自己是一样。人家的快乐，就是自己的快乐。人家的痛苦，就是自己的痛苦。人家做善事，等于我做善事一样的高兴；人家做恶事，等于我做恶事一样的悲痛。要有这样的思想，才能和人和平相处。规劝犯戒的人，勉励守戒的人，不可有妒贤忌能的心，不可障碍他人发菩提心。
Regard everyone as the same as yourself. Regard the happiness of others as your own, and regard their sorrows as yours, too. “If people do good deeds, I’ll rejoice as if I had done them; if people do evil deeds, I’ll be as grieved as if I had done them.” If we think that way, we’ll get along harmoniously with others. In advising people who have broken precepts or encouraging people who uphold precepts, we shouldn’t be jealous of those who are capable, nor should we obstruct others in bringing forth the Bodhi resolve.
我出家之后，在道场工作，总是争先恐后去做，绝对不到处宣扬，我做了什么工？我做了什么活？如果这样表功，反而无功德。不像现在的人，做点工怕吃亏，做点事怕上当。自己觉得很聪明，其实是傻瓜。你一天所做的工，不用说，护法神记得清清楚楚。功德圆满，自然有所感应，所谓：
After I became a monk, I strove to do whatever work needed to be done around the monastery. Had I advertised my merit, there would have been no merit. Nowadays people worry about taking a loss or being cheated when they do a little work. They consider themselves smart, but actually their attitude is foolish. There is no need to publicize the work you do each day; the Dharma-protecting spirits will know and remember it well. When your merit and virtue are complete, you will naturally have a response. It is said,
有麝自然香，何须大风扬。
Musk will naturally emit a fragrance;
It doesn’t need any wind to spread it.
芸芸众生，所犯的毛病，到做工的时候，就无我相；到吃饭的时候，就无人相；到打架的时候，就无众生相；到吃肉的时候，就无寿者相。还大言不惭地说：“我吃你的肉，超度你上西天。”有这种思想的人，自己认为是聪明，其实聪明反被聪明误，上了大当，自己犹不知而已。
Living beings have these faults: when they are supposed to work, they use the excuse of “no self”; during mealtimes, they act as if there are “no people” other than themselves; when it comes to fighting, they assume that there are “no living beings”; and when it comes to eating meat, they think that there is “no life.” Yet, at the same time they shamelessly declare, “By eating your flesh I’ll liberate you so you can go to the Western Pure Land.” People think that is clever reasoning. Actually, though they don’t realize it, they outsmart themselves and end up losing in a big way.
我们修行人，时时刻刻要摄心律己，举动行为管自己，行住坐卧不离家。不离家就是不找人家的毛病，不说人家的是非，也就是谨言慎行。时时回光返照，刻刻反求诸己。去掉自己古怪脾气，保留自己的忍辱功夫。千言万语一句话，少说话多修行，不要自我宣传，我怎样！我怎样！既然出了家，还有在家的习气。那么，出家为了什么？你们自己好好反省一下，应当不应当？
We cultivators should always focus our minds and discipline ourselves, watch our own conduct, and not “leave our home” in walking, standing, sitting or lying down. Not “leaving our home” means not looking at others’ faults and not talking about others’ rights and wrongs. It also means using caution in our words and conduct, always reflecting within and examining ourselves, getting rid of our idiosyncratic temperament, and developing the skill of patience. In short, talk less and cultivate more. Don’t advertise yourself: “I’m like this! I’m like that!” If you continue to cling to your worldly habits after becoming a monk, then what’s the point of becoming a monk? Think about it. Is that the way you ought to be?
